Beetles and weevils belong to which insect order?

• A. Orthoptera
• B. Lepidoptera
• C. Coleoptera
• D. Hemiptera

Answer: (C)

Beetles and weevils are in the order Coleoptera, which is defined by the hardened forewings called elytra that cover and protect the hind wings and the abdomen when the insect is at rest. This key feature groups all beetles and their relatives, including weevils, together. The other orders differ in distinctive ways: Orthoptera includes grasshoppers and crickets with strong hind legs for jumping and typically leathery forewings; Lepidoptera includes butterflies and moths with scaly wings and a coiled feeding tube; Hemiptera includes true bugs with piercing-sucking mouthparts and forewings that are partly hardened and partly membranous. Recognizing the elytra-covered appearance helps you classify beetles and weevils correctly.